Friday, December 30, 2016

Acting on climate change should be a matter of common sense instead the GOP and the incoming Trump administration are opposed to climate action and many even deny the veracity of anthropogenic warming. However, there are some compelling reasons why even ideologically intransigent Republicans may want to consider reassessing their climate denial.

Logic dictates that we cannot afford to ignore the costs of climate change. A robust economic argument can be made in support of climate action. The majority of Americans accept climate change and a number of cost-benefit analyses reveal that it is far less expensive to act than it is to wait. The longer we wait the more it will cost. Investing in the low carbon economy has also been found to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

This year the Green Market Oracle (GMO) published 32 articles as part of an annual series on green schools published at the end of summer and fall.

These articles include a review of the growing green schools movement, best practices and what sustainability professionals need to learn. That is followed by hundreds of sustainability-focused schools and accreditation, green school rankings, early education, impediments to green schooling, tools, resources and awards.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

In their final year, the Obama administration has moved forward with some important actions to curtail extraction and reduce pollution from the oil and gas industry. Fossil fuels are responsible for the vast majority of greenhouse gases and deadly air pollution.

To help address these concerns President Obama has previously a raft of fossil fuel related actions. This includes, the Clean Power Plan, stopping the KXL, cuting Shell's Arctic drilling in half and halting the building of the Dakota Access pipeline. In 2016 President Obama went even further and banned offshore Arctic oil drilling, changed the methane rules for the fossil fuel industry and canceled gas leases on Native lands.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas is a time for hope but this year many are feeling crushed by the US election results. Last Christmas we were celebrating the great triumph of COP21, this year we are preparing for what is shaping up to be a very destructive US presidency. This is a pivotal moment in world history. On January 20th, an anti-science climate denier will become the leader of the most powerful nation on earth. We will do our best to remain hopeful and we promise to keep fighting the good fight. The stakes are too high to countenance failure.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Donald Trump and many members of his administration have capitalized on the fact that conservatives love fake news and reject facts and scientific evidence. While there are fake news sites on both sides of the political spectrum, research shows that the problem is far worse on the right than it is on the left.

The Washington Post reports that conservatives are both more likely to post fake news and more likely to believe it compared to liberals.

Conservatives have been found to be highly receptive to stories that reinforce their existing worldview. While this may be somewhat true of many people, there is evidence to show that liberals are not as receptive to fake news. Not only are conservatives more likely to fall for fake news they are more likely to produce it. A Buzzfeed analysis of Facebook revealed that leading conservative pages were twice as likely to publish fake news compared to leading liberal pages.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Darkness is falling as a reality countering narrative is growing led by the subterfuge of unscrupulous fake news outlets. Facts undermine the alt-right agenda so they have created their own news which is little more than a collection of propaganda, spin and lies.

Monday, December 19, 2016

We are in what is being called the sixth great mass extinction and this is having devastating impacts on ocean wildlife. Almost half of all species on earth are or soon will be extinct. What we are doing to our oceans mirrors what we did to terrestrial species some 50 - 100 thousand years ago. Our oceans are also already in the midsts of a mass-extinction.

Pollution is a huge part of the problem from CO2 that acidifies our oceans to plastic and other waste materials that we are continuously flush into our waterways. What we have done to our oceans is not only harmful to wildlife it is also harmful to us.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

AIREC will take place on September 26-29, 2017 in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is Argentina's leading renewable energy congress. At this event, you can position yourself at the forefront of Argentina’s renewable energy revolution and learn about new regulatory environment in detail and get n-depth insight into legal and financing complexities. AIREC is a great way to help you identify the best project opportunities and attendees can meet key influencers from policy and regulation as well as participate in discussions while forging relationships through interactive roundtables.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Clean energy will continue to grow despite the utter ignorance and abject corruption of the newly elected American administration. However, we cannot avoid the realization that those interested in creating a sustainable future are in for a very difficult four years.

America has voted for a climate denying, racist and misogynist who has promised to gut regulations designed to protect the environment and ramp-up production of fossil fuels. The Trump administration is a kakistocracy that is far worse than most people realize. It is no exageration to say that the incoming administration will augur death on a planetary scale.

Friday, December 16, 2016

The electoral college is our last best hope to avert an unprecedented calamity. The coalescing Trump administration has been described as the most dangerous group of individuals in the history of the world. Trump himself is a pathological liar and a horrifying combination of conceit and ineptitude.

Make no mistake about it a darkness is about to descend on America and the globe. Environmentalists, social activists, and those with a modicum of common sense are grasping at straws to try to find some way, any way to keep this climate-destroying kakistocracy from taking power on January 20th.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Fake news is not a joke it is a serious threat to the institution of democracy and planetary health. Indeed it is not overstating the case to say it threatens the very survival of our species. Fake news contributed to Trump's election victory, the Brexit vote in the UK and climate denial. To make good decisions people need to be well informed and this requires that they have access to accurate information.

After her election defeat, Hilary Clinton decried the "epidemic of fake news." She also said, "It’s now clear that so-called fake news can have real-world consequences." Hilary understands that fake news is a serious problem that has implications well beyond the election of 2016. "This isn’t about politics or partisanship. Lives are at risk," she said during a post-election speech on Capitol Hill.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Truly "green" 18 wheeler transport trucks (aka Class 8 or semis) must have a little or no environmental impact. A sustainable transport truck must be emissions free if it is to make a positive contribution to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the communities they serve. There is also a strong business case that can be made for reducing emissions in truck transport. Here are some examples of truck configurations that offer varying degrees of ecological benefit.

Advanced diesel

The combination of advanced diesel engines in tractor-trailers and better aerodynamics could lower the fuel consumption of semi trucks. Advanced diesel alone could increased efficiency by 20 percent and improved aerodynamics could deliver an 11 percent reduction in fuel use. However, even the most advanced diesel truck will still emit pollutants ranging from carbon to fine particulate matter.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Marketing sustainability is about telling a good story and creating an emotional experience. While it may seem like an art there is a lot of science behind good storytelling. The advantages good sustainability focused storytelling benefit both the brand and the bottom line. The goal is to invoke drama that incites emotion. Well crafted branding can arouse the kinds of emotions that call for action and
encourages customers to make buying decisions. This is what all marketers try to do but it is especially important when it comes to sustainability. The buy in that is encouraged here goes beyond taking a product to the cash, it even goes beyond the forging of a loyal bond between a product and a consumer. Sustainability focused storytelling pushes us beyond our own experience and gives us potency to act on a global problem.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has delivered on his promise and succeeded in securing an historic national climate deal with the provinces. Under the new pan-Canadian agreement each province and territory will advance their own climate action plan.

The wide-ranging accord includes carbon pricing, eliminating coal-fired
power, lowering carbon content of motor fuels. The agreement will see more investments in renewable
energy, electricity infrastructure, clean-technology and
energy efficiency.

The deal is a creative mix of carbon tax and cap-and-trade with BC and
Alberta using the former and Ontario and Quebec employing the latter.
While cap-and-trade is less expensive under the deal companies must
invest outside of Canada (California) to reduce emissions.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

SustPack 2017 will take place on April 24-26 in Scottsdale, Arizona. This leading packaging sustainability conference and exhibition is an annual event hosted by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Smithers Pira. At this three-day conference more than 500 brands, organizations, government officials and academics will come together to learn how packaging fits into supply chain sustainability. Attendees will get a comprehensive look at the inputs, outputs and impacts of packaging in supply chain sustainability.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

NASA's invaluable contributions to climate science will be slashed by the incoming Trump administration. America's greatness is premised on science and the work of NASA in particular. For decades NASA has contributed to our understanding of climate science and its impacts. They conduct research on greenhouse gases that cause climate change. They also document its impacts.

Friday, December 9, 2016

A new narrative is needed to counter prevailing ignorance and augur collective behavior change. However, we will never be able to get a handle on climate change, environmental degradation and a host of other problems with facts alone. Now more than ever we need science, but it is up to the storytellers to bring it to life.

As evidenced at the ballot box, Americans and others around the world are woefully misinformed about science. There is an unwarranted deep seated mistrust of scientists. People once revered scientists and politicians once depended on science to make policy decisions. However, those days are receding and we are facing what amounts to the darkest period in modern history.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

With the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, President-Elect Trump is making good on his promise to eviscerate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pruitt is a disaster for the environment and climate change.

"Having Scott Pruitt in charge of the US Environmental Protection Agency is like putting an arsonist in charge of fighting fires," said Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club. "He is a climate science denier who, as attorney general for the state of Oklahoma, regularly conspired with the fossil fuel industry to attack EPA regulations. Nothing less than our children’s health is at stake."

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Scientists are standing up ahead of the inauguration of the most anti-science administration in modern American history. The people tapped to lead President-Elect Trump's transition team make it clear that this administration will be composed of climate deniers who have tremendous disdain for science.

Heads of state, climate scientists and business
leaders have all warned Trump not to cancel the Paris Agreement and
they have called on the President-Elect to act on climate change.

On Tuesday, December 6th, more than 800 Earth scientists and energy experts launched a petition and released an open letter urging President-Elect Trump to act on climate change. The letter lists six key actions to protect America’s economy, national security, health and safety.Here is the letter in full:

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Environmentalists have been given a much-needed infusion of hope after Ivanka Trump invited Al Gore to discuss climate change with her father.

A lot of environmentalists are grasping at straws hoping to find some pretext for optimism as the inauguration of a climate denying science hating president draws near. As we count down to the start of these dark days, the meeting that took place between Al Gore and Donald Trump is as good a reason as we will find for climate optimism this year.

Monday, December 5, 2016

There is a strong business case that can be made for reducing emissions associated with trucking. While trucking is essential for the transportation of goods, it is associated with air pollution and climate change causing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Reigning in emissions from transportation is a serious issues as this is the second largest source of GHGs after energy production. However, a new generation of emissions-free trucks is on the horizon that is better for both the environment and the bottom line.

MIREC WEEK 2017 will feature new potential customers from C&I energy users, international investors and global pension funds. We are also introducing two entirely new streams on grid and storage and investment, as well as a host of new features, including a huge cocktail party, a new mobile partnering app and the first ever Clean Energy Innovation Challenge.

This event will take place December 5 - 8, 2016 in Tehran, Iran. IranRECC 2016 is designed to help you access the Iranian renewable energy sector. At IranRECC 2016 you will find more than 45 senior level industry speakers. Almost three-quarters of those in attendance are directors. There will be 3 days of content with 3 technical workshops and more than 40 hours allocated to networking.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

One of the most widely anticipated green trucks ever produced was officially announced at the beginning of December 2016. The Nikola One hydrogen range-extended electric truck is a class 8 commercial semi truck. It is the brainchild of the Salt Lake City-based Nikola Motor Company. The power and the extraordinary range of this new truck concept make this one of most advanced semi's in the world.

As reviewed in Green Car Reports, the Nikola One was originally a natural-gas turbine powered vehicle, however in the US and Canada the truck will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The Nikola One has twice the power of current trucks on the road. It has more than 1000 horsepower and 2,000 pound-feet of torque. It is powered by has six electric motors and a two-speed transmission.

Friday, December 2, 2016

There has been tremendous growth in sustainable investing in the US. This finding has been borne out in a new report released on November 14th 2016. The biennial report on US Sustainable, Responsible, and Impact Investing Trends was created by the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment and the US SIF Foundation. This is the only report of its kind in the US. It provides extensive data on assets using one or more sustainable investment strategies and examines a broad range of significant ESG issues such as climate change, human rights, weapons avoidance, and corporate governance. Additionally, for the first time the report includes data on prison related issues and gender lens investing.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

The ruling federal Liberals have canceled one pipeline and approved two others. It is but the most recent example of Canada's one step forward two steps back approach to climate action.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has the laudable goal of wanting to be a climate champion and an economic leader. However, this balancing act is completely undermined when you add increased fossil fuel production to the equation. Canada was criticized at COP22 for expanding its fossil fuel production and now they have compounded the problem by adding a couple of pipelines to the mix.

Contradictory climate and energy policies

Canadian government energy and environmental policy is a checkerboard of seemingly opposing policy positions. The government announced a carbon tax then followed that up with a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. To further illustrate the two faces of this government, they banned tanker traffic off the coast of northern BC while increasing traffic to the south. Most recently they rejected some pipelines while approving others.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Executives are out of sync with what investor interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. There are dozens of ESG criteria, including greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, data protection, and corruption. Investors are increasingly attracted to sustainability because it contributes to financial performance. Despite the unprecedented growth of sustainability focused investing and reams of evidence making the business case, executives still don't get it. Many executives under value investor interest in the ROI of ESG. These execs are leaving money on the table as sustainability-oriented investment funds are now worth trillions of dollars.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

A sustainability focused corporate culture seeks to preserve and protect vital resources for future generations. A corporate culture refers to beliefs and behaviors, it can be
supported through white papers, charters, philosophies, vision and
mission statements but it is ultimately about people. Sustainability is rooted in a sense of kinship with people, a deep affection for the planet and a keen focus on financial viability. However, there is an all important caveat that is also a key success factor. The viability of a sustainability focused corporate culture depends on being able to encourage employees to buy-in to a company's sustainability efforts.

Monday, November 28, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump has said that he will pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement and ramp-up domestic fossil fuel production, however, big business is urging him to stick with the UN accord. While installing climate deniers in some key positions Trump has claimed he will "keep an open mind" about the Paris deal. The election of Trump has cast a shadow over COP22 and world leaders warned the President-elect to respect the Paris Agreement. As reported by Chris D’Angelo in the Huffington Post, some leading names in the American business community wrote an open letter to the President-elect and other leaders. They say that withdrawing from the Paris Agreement "puts American prosperity at risk."

Sunday, November 27, 2016

This event will take place on December 1 – 3, 2016 in Nadi, Fiji. The event is co-organised with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, the USA’s Departments of Energy and State, the Pacific Community, the Asian Development Bank, and the Green Climate Fund, IRENA will host a three-day workshop on renewable energy finance, in Nadi, Fiji.

Global Renewable Energy Forum 2016 will take place on December 1 2016 in Bonn, Germany at the Hilton Hotel, Berliner Freiheit 2, 53111 Bonn.

In light of the adoption and entry into force of the Paris Agreement, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Bonn Office, and its partners will convene a one-day expert conference to identify innovative ways to realize a swift transformation towards a low-carbon energy industry.

This conference will take place on December 6, 2016 at the Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post Street, San Francisco, CA, United States.

This conference will put O&M under the spotlight, and eliminate the challenges that are preventing your plant reaching its full potential. The experts speaking at PV O&M USA have extensive experience in the market, and exclusive knowledge of the O&M workings of their industry-leading companies – if you want to grow your O&M strategy, improve your knowledge and get the most out of your PV plants, this is the conference for you!

This ISP forum will take place from November 28 to December 2nd 2016, on Flinders Island in Australia. This 5 day Isolated Power Systems Connect technical event is organized by Hydro Tasmania and The University of Tasmania. IRENA will facilitate a session on ‘Planning the operation of grids in small island developing states’ and sponsor the participation of five engineers from power utilities of Member Countries from the Pacific Islands.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

As this is the last Thanksgiving before we enter the dark days of a Trump presidency many are feeling hopeless. However, this is a good time to take stock of just how far we have come on climate and environmental action. So many dedicated people and organizations have fought hard to get where we are today. Before the Trump administration assumes power we should reflect on what has been accomplished, what we stand to lose and we must strive to defend.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

This year the United States celebrates Thanksgiving under the dark cloud of President-elect Trump who has promised to stop climate action and roll back environmental protections. Being grateful this year is harder than ever. However, we have reason to celebrate the Paris Agreement and the climate leadership of President Barack Obama. We can be thankful for more traditional reasons like the fall harvest and the bounty that nature provides.

We can also remember the origins of this holiday, specifically how the early European settlers were welcomed by Native peoples who helped them to survive and showed them how to live in harmony with nature. Although white people have proven to be very poor students, indigenous people continue to show the way, this includes ongoing efforts to protect the planet from the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Boards of directors can play an invaluable role helping a company to inculcate sustainability into their DNA. Because of their unique position, boards of directors are well placed to integrate sustainability into business strategies and practices. This
supports both the long-term profitability and the viability of an enterprise.

However, there is a disconnect between what is good for a firm and what they are actually doing. Most boards of directors are not engaged in sustainability even though almost all managers and directors think they should be.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

We need to take stock of where we are if we are to have any chance of getting to where we need to go. After years of slow but steady climate action, the U.S. now has a climate and environment destroying president and legislature. Although Hilary Clinton won the majority of votes, under the collegiate system --which was designed to protect slave owning states--Donald Trump won the election and will be president. Under Trump, Republicans will reverse everything that President Obama has achieved on energy, the environment, and climate. While this is bad, it gets worse, far worse.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Sustainability data can deliver meaningful results to organizations’ sustainability initiatives. Sustainability data has the ability to profoundly alter the economy in the future. Globally big sustainability data can help us tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Sustainability data that has the capacity to dramatically improve business and sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability professionals face a number of challenges. It is not always easy to know how to use data to develop a strategy and track their sustainability efforts. To help with these efforts there are now a number of tools, technologies, and data used to measure program success.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Prior to the Trump administration, science informed government policy decisions. Nowhere is a science-based approach more necessary than in the realm of climate action. However, president-elect Trump has made it clear that he has a very little understanding of both science and scientists.

Consequently, climate scientists working for government agencies in the US are bracing for budget cuts and interference from the incoming administration.

As of January 20, 2017, the most powerful nation on Earth will be governed by the least qualified and most unprincipled citizens in the land. It did not take long for Trump to be accused of corruption. Daily Kos reports that within a week of his victory the president-elect has created a scheme to make money from foreign diplomats who want to curry favor. These "guests" are charged a fee to stay at one of Trump's hotels.

A Vox article by David Roberts and Brad Plumer acknowledges the gravity of the threat posed by the incoming administration. As stated in the article, "Most people are wildly underestimating what Trump’s win will mean for the environment."

Sunday, November 20, 2016

This Summit will take place on March 23-24, 2017 in London. What does COP21 and the push for greater environmental sustainability mean for business? The Sustainability Summit will bring together key thinkers, policymakers and business leaders, who will deliver strategies, ideas and solutions to decision makers, helping them to turn challenges into new opportunities and prepare for the future.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Following Donald Trump's unexpected win, world leaders are warning the president-elect to honor US climate commitments

The world was shocked by the news the Trump was to be the next head of the most powerful nation on the planet. It almost seemed as though there was a moment of stunned silence as people around the world tried to fathom what the world will be like under a Trump administration. When the news of Trump's victory broke markets tumbled and world leaders issued muted and conditional congratulatory messages.

Friday, November 18, 2016

I have always been an optimist, in fact I have railed against pessimism. Despite the progress we have made, the election of Donald Trump has crushed any hope that we may be able to reign in climate change. Even if we get back to sensible government in four years time we will likely be too late.

I realize that this is not what climate advocates want to hear at this time. However, we have to be real if we are to develop cogent strategies and tactics. Perhaps if enough people make the case, we can find a way influence this administration. At the very least Trump's supporters need to be continually reminded that they have invited a climate apocalypse.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Americans looking to emigrate to Canada need to understand that the great white north is not much better on the climate front. Canadians who support climate and environmental issues understand what it feels like to be governed by an anti-science federal government with a fossil fuel agenda. Canadians empathize with those who feel trapped by the alt-right political takeover of the US, however, Canadians have only very recently emerged from a decade of fossil fuel powered Conservative rule.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

So you think you know what sustainability means? While the general definition is widely understood, there are many facets of sustainability that are not as well known. Understanding sustainability is more important now than ever and it is essential that we comprehend the different definitions and applications.

In the absence of sensible leadership from Republicans and the newly elected president of the United States, sustainability is our best hope to keep growing the green economy. Business leaders know that administrations come and go, but sustainability is here to say.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

There was a time when it could have been considered strategic to downplay the apocalyptic truth about climate change. The concern was that pessimism can be harmful to the environmental movement. People are not yet ready to embrace the scientific consensus about climate change. Many are too fearful to countenance the impacts it will augur However, the election of Donald Trump changes the calculus. This is a global emergency of unprecedented proportions. We no longer have the time to pander to people's delicate sensibilities.

Monday, November 14, 2016

As the world comes together for COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco, everyone who has even a passing interest in climate action is gravely concerned about the election of Donald Trump. This year's U.N. climate conference is in stark contrast to last year's conference in Paris where almost every nation on Earth agreed to emissions reduction. The deal officially came into force last month.

A Climate Change News article by Thomas Hale, professor of public policy at Oxford University quite correctly says, "The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States is a disaster for our climate and everything under it." Although he qualifies his statement saying that it "will not be as bad as it might have been."

Sunday, November 13, 2016

The 15th Cleantech Forum will take place on January 23 - 25 in San Francisco. This annual gathering of the global cleantech community offers a comprehensive, three-day program along with exclusive opportunities to network, learn, and get deals done.